Why is it Cool? Android may seem like a geeky term that you don't care about right now but in our opinion, it's going to revolutionize the wireless phone industry. Android is software that allows a user to control the mobile phone it's installed on. Android offers all the features consumers want in a smartphone such as a desktop like web browsing experience, social networking integration, ability to download and install applications, and advanced media support. Obviously, this sounds a lot like the iPhone but unlike the iPhone, Android devices will come in different styles on different wireless carriers giving consumers more choices. HTC, Samsung, and Motorola are all currently building Android devices. The T-Mobile G1 was the first smartphone to use Android. Over the next year, you will see a lot of Android powered smartphones entering the market on all major U.S. carriers. Verizon Wireless is set to launch it's highly anticipated Motorola Droid in the coming weeks. Currently, the iPhone is the juggernaut of the mobile phone world but Android is starting to mature and when paired with the right device, could finally dethrone the king.
What? A new episode in the Halo universe from Bungie
When? Out now on Xbox 360
How much? $59.99
Why is it cool? With ODST, Bungie has moved the Halo story line away from Master Chief and over to the troops that have run alongside him throughout the series. ODST stands for Orbital Drop Shock Troops(say that three times fast). You play as a rookie amongst a team of grizzled veterans. You are dropped from orbit into the city of New Mombasa during the fighting at the beginning of Halo 3 but are you're knocked out on your way down. As you awaken hours later you must begin to piece together what has happened to your team, try to rejoin them, and continue your mission. This game was a welcome change from the Master Chief story lines. The story was fun to follow and the gameplay was a little different. It's a lot harder to charge in and take on a whole squad like you may be used to. This game took a fair amount of strategy to take out the enemies. At times I caught myself just sneaking by instead of engaging a group of foes as it was not necessary to take down every single one to complete your objectives. On the Multiplayer front, this game includes the four player cooperative Firefight mode. This mode plays a lot like Horde Mode for you Gears of War 2 fans out there, in which you take on increasingly difficult waves of enemies. Other than that, there are no new versus maps but it does include a second disc containing all of the Halo 3 multiplayer maps (even the downloadable maps from Xbox Live). Altogether this was a fun game to play and if you enjoy Halo 3 multiplayer this brings you every map for it. For those who already purchased the maps via Live, I guess you'll have to decide just how much of a fan you are. Check out more about the game here.
Why is it Cool? The new iPod nano is similar to the last generation but adds one big feature and some nice updates. The big new feature is the ability to record video. That's right, the new nano records video and allows you to add special video effects such as Sepia, X-Ray, and even "Cyborg". A FM radio has also been added to the tiny media player. The Live Pause feature acts like a DVR, allowing you to pause, rewind, and replay live radio. If you hear a song you like on the radio, you can tag it so it's easy to purchase from iTunes later. The new nano also has a pedometer for counting your steps while walking, a larger 2.2 inch screen, support for VoiceOver, Genius Playlists, Genius Mixes, and Voice Memos. It's available in nine anodized aluminum colors. Get more info here.
Why is it Cool? Apple's latest version of iTunes brings many new features and refinements that make it better than ever. The entire application has been redesigned to be cleaner, easier to navigate and easier to find new media from the store. iTunes LP and iTunes Extras provide extra features for your music and movies such as lyrics, artwork, photos, and special video features. Genius Mixes groups your songs that go great together and plays them with one click. Home Sharing allows you to easily transfer media from all the computers in your home to one another. Improved syncing allows you to arrange your apps in iTunes just the way you want and then sync that configuration to your iPhone or iPod Touch. iTunes 9 is a great update to the software you already know and love. Get more info here.
]]>Blu-Ray & DVD Decrypterhttp://www.techsifter.com/posts/2009/9/9/blu-ray-dvd-decrypter.htmlCoby2009-09-10T02:41:13Z2009-09-10T02:41:13Z
What makes it cool? Blu-Ray & DVD Decrypter is a powerful tool for ripping and backing up your Blu-Ray and/or DVD collection. Most Blu-Ray and DVD's today are encrypted and do not allow the owner to back them up in case something happens to their disc. This encryption ensures that if for some reason your purchase becomes harmed you have to purchase another disc to enjoy the product again. With Blu-Ray & DVD Decrypter you can break that encryption, make virtual backups that can be played straight from your Windows PC or burn a new disc right from the software. This software is one of the easiest ways to protect your purchases and in the case that something does happen to your physical disc burn a new copy of the product without repurchasing what you already own. The user must simply install the software, insert their disc, click Rip disc to your hard drive, select the disc you are want to copy, click next, and wait. It takes a while to break the encryption and copy the disc, but it is well worth the effort and time to protect your purchase. To view your backed up disc right from your PC simply open the software, scroll over Emulate, click Mount image as virtual drive, select what you want to watch, and enjoy. You can learn more here.
Why is it cool? Google Docs breaks the boundaries of a PC by giving users online access to documents, spreadsheets, and presentations worldwide from any computer with internet access. It allows you to upload existing files that you have created with other suites such as Microsoft Office or Open Office as well as create new documents from scratch and store them on Google's servers. This means the you don't have to worry about leaving the file you created on one PC or another as it is accessible and editable from anywhere. Also, Google Docs gives you the option to share your project publicly or with a select group of people to either view or edit from anywhere. This is especially great for a student that is always on the go, potentially using multiple computers, or the business professional working on a project that requires multiple people's input on a single project. You can learn more here.
Why is it cool? The PlayStation 3, a fantastic gaming console and arguably the best Blu-ray player on the market is now even better and $100 cheaper! The original PlayStation 3 was a behemoth but the new console is 32% smaller, 36% lighter, has 34% less power consumption and retains all the great features from the previous generation. The PS3 Slim comes with Blu-ray, 120GB hard disk, DualShock3 controller, and HDMI output with 1080p support. With it's new lower price, slimness, a growing library of great games, free online gaming, and excellent media capabilities, the new PS3 Slim should be placed very high on your gadget wish list. You can see more pictures here.
Why is it cool? Open Office gives you a simple to use open source alternative to the expensive Microsoft Office suite. There are versions available for Windows, Mac, and Linux PC's. It is fully compatible with all of the standard formats that Microsoft Office uses and many more. All the Open Office applications have a familiar look and provide the same functionality you get from Microsoft Office such as a fully equipped word processor called Writer, a powerful spreadsheet creator/editor called Calc, a multi-media presentation creator called Impress, a graphics/diagram creator called Draw, and a database management tool called Base. Using this software could save a person, a family, small business, or enterprise a substantial amount of money.You can learn more here.
